On August 11, 1967, in Quang Nam Province, Vietnam, Lance Corporal Roy Wheat of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division made a split-second decision that saved the lives of his fellow Marines.

Assigned to provide security for a Navy construction crew along Liberty Road, LCpl Roy Wheat and two other Marines established positions in a treeline overlooking the work site. While checking the rear of their position for enemy movement, he unknowingly triggered a concealed antipersonnel mine.

An audible hiss cut through the air — the sound of a burning time fuse.

Recognizing instantly what it meant, Roy Wheat shouted a warning and, without hesitation, threw himself onto the mine. He absorbed the full force of the explosion with his own body.

The blast took his life.

But it saved the Marines standing beside him from certain death or devastating injury.

For his conspicuous gallantry and selfless sacrifice in Vietnam, Lance Corporal Roy Wheat was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.

His story is one of courage, duty, and the kind of character that defines the United States Marine Corps.

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